We performed the Leavitt "Hodie" for piano and percussion this fall. We didonly the first movement, but it is from a larger work. I do not know theinstrumentation for the larger work.

Kent Skinner

You might try my arrangement of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in a Jazz/Gospelstyle. It can be performed a cappella; a cappella with drum set (with aslittle as a snare, ride cymbal and brushes) and triangle, and/or jazz bass;with string orchestra, or string orchestra, drum set and triangle. It'spublished by Boosey & Hawkes and its number is OCTB6396. The orchestra partsare available for rental from Boosey. If you own the recording of the Susa on Brunelle's "WelcomeChristmas" CD which I produced for RCA, "Go Tell It" is also on that CD usinga chamber ensemble to accompany it.

Neyhlybel (sp?) "Estampie Natalie", is a great Christmas piece withrhythmic drive and a great percussion part. It also involves a smallstring section.

Emily Neil

Do you know "To Bethlehem" by W.H. Parry, an (anglicised) calypso stylecarol for SATB, optional solos, organ or piano, and triangle, marracas,etc. It is highly adaptable for available forces. OUP Yours, BruceCross, Toronto

"Betelehemu," published by Lawson Gould, is an African Christmas piece thatuses congas, bongos, shakers, claves, and whatever other bells and whistlesyou may choose to use. Complete with movement, and solos, this is amarvelous "big" piece for your choir. Not difficult to learn but veryimpressive. (DJ note: comes in men's and mixed versions to my knowledge.)

Bruce PhelpsBCSTTD(a)aol.com

There is a very nice setting by Edwin Fissinger of PATAPAN.

One of my favorites is "God's Love Made Visible" by Dave and Iola Brubeck. There is one version in The Worshipping Church (Hope) hymnal, and I have anoctavo (Hope also, I think) and I believe it is part of a larger work (LaPosada de something-or-other).

Steve SkinnerFirst Presbyterian Church of the CovenantErie, PA

"Musica Romanica" will release in 1997 a piece called "Festumhibernum-Ancient Cyclic Customs" (Festival of Winter) by the Romaniancomposer Alexandru Pascanu for soloists, SATB chorus w/divisi (up to elevenin the women's voices) and percussion (sonagli, frusta, campane).It is a wonderful piece bringing together no less than 14 different sacredand secular Romanian Christmas and New Year's traditional tunes in akaleidoscopic manner.

Gabriel Dumitrescu"Musica Romanica"MusiRom(a)aol.com

Hodie! by John Leavitt is especially nice - SATB piano bellscymbals, etc.mike EllingsenVocal Music and DramaBlue Earth Area High SchoolBlue Earth MN

1) the favorite piece of the 90's - "Betelehemu", either the TTBB arr. byWendell Whalum, (Lawson-Gould 52647) or the SATB arr., which I have not yetseen. It is up to the conductor to decide how much percussion to add. Itcan include shakers and rattles in addition to various drums.

5) A set of three pieces by Alice Parker called Carols to Play and Sing,scored for mixed chorus, hand-bells or chimes, triangle, woodblock,tambourine, cymbal, tenor drum and organ. The organ part is quite sparse. Each is published separately: "In Bethlehem" (2779); "I saw a stable"(2780); and "Shrill Chanticleer" (2781). I have done the last one and itis very effective.

6) A setting of "Personet Hodie" by David MacIntyre for two parts (I haveused it for SATB) two flutes and hand drum. It is quite effective, andworks as a processional. I don't have my copy at hand, but I think it ispublished by Thomas House Publications.

Many of the Spanish carols and villancicos (eg. Schirmer?: Riu, Riu, Chiu,etc), can use percussion. I can't recall if an optional part is written in. Also, Ramirez' Missa Criolla uses piano, guitar, and a colorful mix of LatinAmerican percussion. DR